Kara Sears
The Old Testament law was given to the nation of Israel and was never intended to be the universal law for all people for all time. It was meant to reveal how to obey and please God, and how to worship him and atone for sin. However, since the fall of man, no human has been able to keep the law of God perfectly, and all have sinned in thought, word, and deed. The Old Testament law points to the need for a savior, Jesus Christ, who kept the law perfectly. Christians are now under the law of Christ, which is to love God and love their neighbors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Man's ability to keep the old law perfectly | Unable to keep the law perfectly |
| Reason | Sinful nature, the fall of Adam |
| Solution | Jesus Christ, faith in Jesus |
| Old Testament law | Not binding on Christians today |
| Purpose of Old Testament law | To show people's inability to keep the law and their need for Jesus |
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What You'll Learn
Man's inability to keep the law perfectly
While the Old Testament law is not considered binding on Christians today, it is still seen as a guidepost for knowing how to love God and one's neighbour. The scripture attests that "there is no man without sin" (1 Kings 8:46) and that "in many things we offend all" (James 3:2). It is recognised that even saints may be surprised into gross sins in thought, word, and deed, and that all have defects and should remain humble.
The Gospel Coalition explains that God created humans with the capacity to keep his law perfectly, but that this capacity was lost when Adam, as the representative of the human race, chose to rebel and disobey God. This event, known as "the fall", resulted in humans consistently breaking God's law in thought, word, and deed.
As such, it is acknowledged that legal perfection is not attainable in this life, and that even the best of people sin daily. This understanding of man's inability to keep the law perfectly underscores the importance of Jesus Christ as the saviour who kept the law perfectly and set humans free from the guilt, power, and bondage of sin.
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The fall of man
The concept of "the fall of man" is central to understanding humanity's relationship with God and its inability to keep the law perfectly. The fall refers to the biblical narrative of Adam and Eve's disobedience to God, as recounted in Genesis. This event had profound implications, shaping the course of human history and our capacity to follow God's commandments.
According to the doctrine, God created humans with the capacity to uphold his law flawlessly. However, this potential was squandered when Adam, as the representative of humanity, chose to rebel and disobey God. As a result of this fall, humans are now inherently flawed and incapable of perfectly adhering to God's commandments. This imperfection extends to our thoughts, words, and deeds, as outlined in sources referencing Jeremiah 3:5 and 1 John 1:8.
The fall introduced sin into the world, and its consequences are far-reaching. As stated in 1 Kings 8:46, "there is no man that sinneth not." This universal sinfulness is a key aspect of the fall's impact, highlighting that no one is exempt from falling short of God's standards. The fall not only affected humanity's relationship with God but also our relationship with one another. The fall introduced discord and disharmony, leading to a range of negative behaviours such as murder, adultery, and covetousness, which directly contradict God's commandments.
In conclusion, the fall of man is a pivotal event that explains humanity's inability to keep the law perfectly. It highlights our inherent sinfulness and need for salvation, while also pointing towards the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who offers us freedom and the possibility of restoration.
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The purpose of the Old Testament law
The Old Testament law, also known as the Mosaic Law, was given specifically to the nation of Israel and comprised the Ten Commandments, ordinances, and a worship system that included the priesthood, tabernacle, offerings, and festivals. While the Old Testament laws are not followed in the same way today, they still serve as instructive guidelines for believers, revealing God's character and the significance of Jesus' ministry on Earth.
One purpose of the Old Testament law was to reveal the holy character of God to the nation of Israel and set them apart from other nations. It also served to reveal the sinfulness of humanity and our inability to obey God perfectly, leading us to rely on God's mercy and grace, and the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. The law highlights the problem of sin and points us toward the solution found in Christ's sacrifice and our faith in Him.
The Old Testament law provided direction for the physical and spiritual health of the nation, offering a standard for righteous living and guiding God's people in how to love Him and one another. It taught them how to live in joyful obedience to God and in harmonious community with their neighbors. The law also chronicled the establishment of God's people, their history, and their journey to the Promised Land.
While humans were created with the capacity to keep God's law perfectly, this ability was lost when Adam, as the representative of humanity, chose to rebel and disobey God. This act, known as “the fall," resulted in our inherent inability to obey God fully. However, Jesus fulfilled the law perfectly on our behalf, freeing us from its demands through His sacrifice. By faith in Christ, we receive forgiveness, are made holy, and are set apart for God.
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The Old Testament law and Christians
The Old Testament law is a set of rules given by God to the nation of Israel. It includes the Ten Commandments, laws on how to worship God and atone for sins, and rules to distinguish the Israelites from other nations. While the Old Testament law is not binding on Christians today, it can still be a useful guide for understanding how to love God and our neighbours.
The Old Testament law demonstrates that humans are unable to keep God's law perfectly. This is because of the fall of the first human, Adam, who chose to rebel and disobey God. As a result, all humans have turned aside and become "worthless". This is reflected in the scripture, which states that "there is no man without sin".
However, Jesus Christ kept the Old Testament law perfectly, even to the point of death on the cross. By following his example and obeying his commands, Christians can be set free from the guilt and power of sin. Jesus himself said, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36).
While Christians are not bound by the Old Testament law, they are called to follow the law of Christ, which is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbour as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-39). This is summarised in the two greatest commandments: to love God and to love one's neighbour. By obeying these commands, Christians can fulfil all that Christ requires of them.
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Jesus and the law
Jesus himself fulfilled the Old Testament law perfectly, including keeping the Sabbath, as recorded in the Gospels and Acts. By doing so, Jesus set an example for his followers to imitate. He demonstrated that it is possible to keep God's commands without being burdened by them. Jesus' obedience to the law, even unto death on the cross, freed humanity from the guilt, power, and bondage of sin. Through faith in Jesus, believers can find justification and peace with God, as their sins are forgiven and they are set free.
The New Testament highlights that the Old Testament law was never intended to be a universal law for all people for all time. Instead, its purpose was to reveal humanity's inability to keep the law perfectly and our need for a Saviour, Jesus Christ. This is evident in Romans 7:7-9 and Galatians 3:24, where Paul emphasizes that the law shows our sinfulness and points us to Christ for salvation.
While Christians are not bound by the ceremonial and civil aspects of the Old Testament law, they are called to uphold the moral law summarized in the Two Great Commandments: loving God and loving their neighbors. This is further emphasized in 1 John 5:3, which states, "This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome." By loving God and loving others, Christians fulfill the essence of the Old Testament law in a way that is relevant and applicable to their lives.
In conclusion, Jesus' relationship with the law is central to Christian theology. He perfectly fulfilled the law, freeing humanity from its bondage to sin and providing a new covenant based on love and grace. While Christians are not required to follow every detail of the Old Testament law, they look to it for guidance on loving God and others, following Jesus' example of perfect obedience.
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Frequently asked questions
No, since the fall, no man has been able to keep the law of God perfectly.
God created humans with the capacity to keep his law perfectly, but that was lost when Adam chose to rebel and disobey God.
The old law was given to the nation of Israel to reveal to them how to obey and please God, and to convict people of their inability to keep the law and point them to their need for Jesus Christ as Savior.
The old law is not binding on Christians today. When Jesus died on the cross, he put an end to the old law. Christians are now under the law of Christ, which is to love God and love their neighbors.
